Planet Postmoderna Blog

With a project like this, there is more work to do than just come up with creative content, designs, models, etc.

There is the management and administration, marketing, and sales – related tasks that have to be done….and, on an ongoing basis!

Designers and artistic team members don’t really pay attention to this much nor should they have to. I and other integral project members do.

Let’s talk about networking and partnerships.

Sponsorship is the lifeblood of this project. Since we are literally starting from nothing we have to leverage relationships from outside to provide the fuel to pump the heart of this project. Our team is made of volunteers so sponsors are a much needed part of our success equation.

I regularly contact organizations that mesh with the philosophies of this project. These range from software firms such as Autodesk and Pixologic to educational institutions like Full Sail. Autodesk and Pixologic are already partners and sponsors. We are still working on Full Sail. Nonetheless, these organizations help to promote 3d Art, Design and Film and Production. This is one of the goals of this project.

Others can be organizations that help us perform needed functions. Vastpark for instance is the platform we are building our demo in and Teamwork Project Manager helps us with task and milestone organization. We also have our website hosted with Wix.com, the provider of a easy-to-use flash website development tool.

Our philosophy begins with encouraging anyone that they can dream and can also make those dreams come true if they believe in themselves. We have started with nothing to build a potential planet for the online game Entropia but are are we letting that stop us? By networking with the right organizations we can make all what we endeavor in a reality.

Yeh, in addition to the fun and exciting parts of this project, you have to do the not-so-fun stuff too.

I am trying to learn a little more about LLCs. I need to get one set up and also come up with the money to pay for it. Not an easy thing when you are working on a sub-par budget and are juggling , family and other things in addition to project responsibilities.

Nonetheless this is definitely the direction we need to go. Each contributor’s time and monetary contribution can be converted into units of ownership.

Here is something you don’t really think about when you start a project you are excited about and are organizing it with little or no money to hire a staff of full-time professionals.  You spend a lot of time recruiting team members and generating interest in your project sourced in the realm of the “Volunteer.”  You build up a team and then find it hard to keep them all “pumped up,” on the project forums and staying plugged in.

Now a lot of this comes from several things such as “no present income,” “no vested interest, ” “no vision for what could be,” and “real life needs and issues” take a precedent.  Well, I know every project will have its challenges and ups and downs.  We are no exception in this area but it can be a little discouraging.  This is especially true when you are trying to do your best to keep the project organized as best as you can within the time that you have yourself (remember, real life?).  You are dealing with different personalities at different corners of the globe and it becomes a time-management and people-management quagmire that pulls you down until you feel stuck.  You take on the role of not only project manager, extended visionary, communicator and ambassador for what really comes down to the most–your dream, not theirs.

When money and real incentives are not there to give (although I did manage to get a few ZBrush licenses as a reward to those on the team that are putting in time and effort.   It was the least I could do and the best at that) it is hard to keep people motivated.  I am sure the “What’s in it for me” mindset kicks in.  I would say though in most if not all cases, real life is the key factor.

I have worked with a lot of non-profit organizations over the years that depend on volunteer support.  I remember the horror stories and fits of depression by management personnel I would hear about.  So, how can I expect this project to be any different?  Well, I can only hope it is because we are working toward an end-goal that has to do with real money.  It is just unfortunate for most,  that it’s not real money right now.